Save My Beat

My name is Misty Marin, the mother of five beautiful children, the infant and preschool teacher to many, many other children.  Sadly I am currently in heart failure with Pulmonary Hypertention, a result of Systematic Lupus.  I was diagnosed with Lupus 6 years ago on my 27 birthday.  I went to bed one night a normal healthy person and when I awoke the next morning I was a totally different very sick person.  Half of my face was paralyzed, I couldn't hear or see from my right side, I had no taste, slurred speech  and my neck and face twitched violently.  Lupus crept in the night and stole my life! Over the past 6 years I have fought very hard to stay as healthy as I possibly could, so I may continue to teach.  I adjusted everything in my life so many times, trying to keep my health right.  I truly loved the kids I worked with and I believe I made a difference in each their lives.  But slowly over the years this disease has taken over one more organ and one more organ.  It is no longer safe for me to continue my passion.  I have been diagnosed with so many ailments such as pulmonary hypertension, mixed connective tissue disease, epilepsy, radiculopathy, neuropathy, gallstones, gi disfunctions, esophagitis, encephalitis, arthritis, and so many others ailments.  I have held on to my pride and dealt with this quietly but last month I was hit with the bad news of my heart health.  I am in heart failure and now I just want to be here to watch my own children grow at least to adulthood! They need me, they really need me!Just as I have dealt with this disease, they have lived it too.  Watching thier mother fade away.  I can no longer play in the park with them or take walks in the sun.  It saddens me, they miss me.   Lupus is an autoimmune disease where your immune system basically attacks itself! It cause organs of the body to swell (inflamation) which leads to your organs working improperly or it can cause failure. For me lupus has attacked the lining of my nerves, blood vessels and central nervous system, which overall affect the whole body.  I have about 55 day gap in health insurance, while its being switched to a new state. My biggest concern is my medication! I am currently taking about 30 pills a day.  This includes a heart pill I must take every 8 hours to keep my heart pumping correctly. The others are for my lung function, lupus control, siezures, and to control the symptoms from inflamed organs working improperly.  Next I am in need of continuing my physical therapy.  After my hospitalization I was in a wheelchair, but with my physical therapy I graduated to a walker.  Continuing my therapy is key to my body coordination, mobility and self-independence.  I am also in need in continuing my visits with my primary care Dr, during the time I have no insurance.  I have certain required tests that need to be taken monthly in order to stay on my heart and lung medication.  I also have to have my liver and kidneys regularly checked on since they are not in a good state. I have already acquired medical bills I cannot pay, since I can not work. I am afraid that I will not be able to have certain Dr visits until I pay what is owed.  Sadly this list of medical needs goes on and on. The ones noted are the most urgent and important.   I ask with humility, desperation and urgency, if you can help my cause and save my heart so it may beat.  Any amount can help!!!!